Dennis Dixon, Pittsburgh Steelers / Image: Zuma Press

And it doesn’t matter if he throws three touchdown passes and runs for two more with a perfect QB rating against the Baltimore Ravens tonight—he’s not wrestling the job away from Big Ben. But this is a golden opportunity for Dennis to showcase his skills for another team or to stake his claim for the backup role in Pittsburgh. Because one team’s trash (so to speak) could be another team’s treasure. And if Dennis can come close to the kind of performances that made him a Heisman trophy candidate at Oregon a couple years ago, he might find himself as a worthy prospect for promotion.

Source: Steelers.com

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Dennis Dixon Gets His Opportunity

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers / Image: Zuma Press

1. The NFL is strengthening and expanding the membership of its medical committee that has studied the subject of concussions and overseen concussion-related research for the past 15 years. The current co-chairmen, Drs. Ira Casson and David Viano, have resigned from those positions and will to continue to assist the committee. The NFL is currently identifying their replacements and additional members who will bring to the committee independent sources of expertise and experience in the field of head injuries.
2. Each club is identifying local neurosurgeons or neurologists who will be available to provide an independent “second opinion” in cases involving players who have had a concussion and been removed from a game or practice. Before these players return to practice or play, they must be evaluated and cleared by both their team doctor and the independent neurologist or neurosurgeon. The NFL and the NFL Players Association medical advisor are reviewing the expertise and qualifications of, and approve, each doctor proposed for this role.
3. Members of the NFL Competition Committee are continuing to evaluate potential changes in playing rules that are intended to reduce head impacts and related injuries in a game setting. Commissioner Goodell met yesterday with Committee co-chair Rich McKay and reviewed specific types of plays for that purpose.
4. John Madden, in his role as special advisor to the Commissioner, is chairing a committee of coaches that is exploring ways of providing players with a safer environment that would reduce the risk of head trauma on non-game days. Among the considerations are reducing the overall amount of off-season work, and/or limiting the use of helmets (and therefore contact) in practice, minicamps, OTAs, and training camps. Madden’s group will report its recommendations to the Competition Committee and Commissioner Goodell.
5. In conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the league has developed an NFL public service message directed primarily at young athletes and their parents and coaches on the importance of head injury awareness. It will debut on the air on December 10. In addition, the league also is working with the CDC and other organizations to distribute educational material to young athletes and high school coaches, and to develop an overall certification program for coaches at those levels addressing player health and safety.
6. As part of its continuing educational effort, the NFL will hold another medical conference in Washington, D.C., in June 2010 on concussions for team medical staffs and representatives of the NFLPA, similar to the conference that took place in Chicago in 2007. The NFL will again invite leading doctors and scientists to present the most current information regarding this injury. Club medical personnel will be required to attend.
7. The NFL will continue to invest in research designed to improve equipment safety and will urge players to make informed choices regarding the use of the most technologically advanced helmets.

Commissioner Goodell told the clubs that these developments are the latest in a series of steps in recent years that have improved player safety, especially relating to concussions and other head injuries.

“We have undertaken a series of initiatives that will enhance the substantial progress we have made in recent years in concussion-related matters. Our goal remains to make our game as safe as possible, protect the health and safety of our players, and set the best possible example for players at all levels and in all sports. Our game today is played with the understanding that medical decisions must always take priority over competitive interests. As a result, our sport is safer than it was previously. But we always strive to do better and the steps announced today will enhance the substantial progress we have made in recent years.”

He said he expects to advise them in the near future of additional steps that he has identified. These steps include new medical guidelines and research directed at the issue of long-term effects of concussions.

This is all well and good. But the fact remains that playing professional football is a violent activity and there will undoubtedly continue to be concussions no matter how many developments there are to prevent them. I applaud the NFL for what they’re doing. But I don’t think it can ever be enough to eliminate the problem.

Source: NFL Media

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NFL Advancements in Concussion Prevention

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers / Image: Zuma Press

Head coach Mike Tomlin talked about Ben’s injury after the game:

“He took a blow, needless to say it was a concussion-oriented thing. I doubted that he was going to come back in the football game. I don’t have, of course, a lot of information in terms of where he is or his level of availability. We’ll have more information as we proceed.”

This type of injuey was bound to happen. Big Ben has already been sacked 30 times this season. And I don’t think it’s possible to calculate how many sacks Ben has avoided. He’s one of the best in the National Football League at shedding would-be tacklers. But this offensive deficiency is not the only reason the Steelers have lost four games. Their special teams hasn’t been very special at all, having given up a kick return for a score in eight consecutive games. Until they get a couple of these areas cleaned up, the Steelers will be lucky to make the playoffs.

Source: NFL.com

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Ben Roethlisberger Injured, Steelers Lose

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers / Photo: Newscom

The deal makes sense. Philip is one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL and his 36-18 record (including the playoffs) proves it. So the Bolts were determined not to let him get away. And they put him in a happy place for the 2009 season in the process. Now he must accomplish what peers Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning—who also got this kind of cash—did. Philip needs to follow-up with a Super Bowl victory. That is what the Chargers hope they’re paying for.

Here are some of Philip’s thoughts following the announcement:

“The one thing I’ve said throughout the summer was that my contract was never going to become a distraction for this team. I was focused on the season. I’m obviously grateful that it got done and that I’m going to be a Charger for years to come. I’m very appreciative to the Spanos family for keeping me around and allowing this to get done. You never are guaranteed that you will be here, but I hoped I would be for a long time. I’ll never get the South out of me, but San Diego is definitely home. Three of our four children have been born out here. I love the people, love the town and love being part of the city.”

Sources: Chargers.com, NFL.com

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Philip Rivers $92M Contract Extension: Quotes

Source: SportsNetworkChannel

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Ben Roethlisberger Responds

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers / Image: Zuma Press

From what I’ve gathered from a number of sources, there doesn’t seem to be any validity to the woman’s accusations as she appears to be rather unstable. In saying that, let it be known I would be the first person to hope a guilty athlete gets what he or she deserves in terms of just punishment for any crime. I don’t put any of these guys (or gals) up on a pedestal because of who they are. And I’m tired of prima donna (in the “I’m untouchable” sense) ball players getting away with murder—literally in some instances.

But back to this particular case. First of all, no criminal charges have been filed. So local authorities won’t open a criminal investigation into the matter unless the woman files a complaint—which she has not done because she’s apparently afraid of losing her job. So, I’m wondering why she waited a year before making this information public knowledge?

Ben’s agent, David Cornwell, made the following statement yesterday:

“Ben has never sexually assaulted anyone. The timing of the lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct. If an investigation is commenced, Ben will cooperate fully and Ben will be fully exonerated.”

I was hesitant to write anything about this “case” because it seems like another example of someone trying to get national attention at the expense of a famous athlete. ESPN hasn’t even reported on the story because they feel it doesn’t meet their standard of reporting. They’re concerned about damaging Ben’s otherwise good reputation and I can’t say I blame them.

That’s really a big part of the problem here. Anyone can come out and accuse an athlete of a crime he or she didn’t commit. That information, in turn, gets into the media and the next thing you know, everyone has an incorrect assumption about a person. Take Buffalo Bills fullback Corey McIntyre as a recent example. Some woman accused him of indecent exposure (etc.) in Florida and the next thing you know, everyone thinks Corey is some kind of freak. As it turns out, Corey was cleared of all charges after being wrongfully arrested. But his reputation and name took a nasty hit in the process.

Now, I can’t help but think Ben Roethlisberger’s situation could’ve been averted had he simply not (allegedly) slept with someone he obviously didn’t know very well. It’s just unfortunate desperate people try to become famous (and/or rich) at the expense of a well-known athlete. The media—in general—”takes the bait” because there’s money to be made with a shocking headline. The result is the potential ruination of an athlete’s reputation. Some people try to take advantage and their stories—no matter how far from the truth—end up as “front page news.”

Sources: NFL.com, TMZ.com, TMZ.com

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Allegations Surround Ben Roethlisberger

James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers / Photo: Newscom

Aside from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger ($102 million for eight years, $36 million guaranteed), this was the largest contract ever given to a Steelers player — and the largest ever to an NFL linebacker. It’s surprising in the sense that James has only been a starter for two years. But it’s hard to argue with his production — over 100 tackles and 16 sacks last season alone. Plus the famed 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Cardinals that helped win Super Bowl XLIII. With all this new money in his bank account, I wonder what what he’ll do for an encore?

Source: NFL.com

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Steelers Sign James Harrison to $51.7M Deal

Byron should be the favorite to win the starting role in Tampa. Otherwise, why would be have bolted from Pittsburgh? He knows he can be a starter in this league so if not now, when? In limited duty with the Steelers last season, Byron managed a 104.3 quarterback rating while completing nearly 60% of his passes. Obviously, Ben Roethlisberger is the choice at quarterback for the Steelers, so Byron was merely a really good insurance policy should Big Ben be hurt. After spending some time shopping his unrestricted free agent services to the Steelers and Redskins, Byron ultimately chose the Bucs and should thrive in the team’s new Raheem Morris/Jeff Jagodzinski offense.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Bucs Sign Byron Leftwich

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Just one day after winning Super Bowl XLIII, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was on Late Show with David Letterman. Ben actually thought his game winning pass was going to be an interception.

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Ben Roethlisberger on ‘Late Show’

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes may be the Super Bowl XLIII MVP (deservingly so), but the award should be shared with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In the face of incessant Arizona Cardinals defensive pressure, Ben played the role of escape artist all evening. And he was at his best when the Steelers needed him the most. With 2:37 on the clock and down by three points, Ben worked his two-minute magic to perfection, driving the Steelers from their own 12-yard-line in 2:02 for the go-ahead score. On the game winning drive, Ben was 5-of-7 passing for 84 yards, including a perfectly placed six-yard touchdown pass to Santonio that will be replayed for eternity. His passer rating on that final drive was over-the-top at 151.2. Ben finished the game 21-of-30 for 256 yards and a touchdown. It was a dramatic difference from his nervous rookie personna that almost cost the Steelers a win in Super Bowl XL three years ago. And it justified the team’s decision to make Ben the face of their franchise last offseason.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Redemption For Ben Roethlisberger